Enrollment in the Religious Education Program is open to any child of a family registered in St. Patrick Parish, who is in Kindergarten through 8^th Grade.

The grade level of a student entering the program will be left to the sole discretion of the Director of Religious Education (DRE) and the Pastor in dialogue with the parents or guardian.

The registration fee for the year is stated on the Registration form. Registrations should be made as early as possible. All fees are due by October 1.

In cases of financial hardship, no child will be denied instruction due to lack of funds. If we are notified, financial arrangements can be made.

Parents are reminded that their child(ren) should be enrolled in the RE Program of the Entire Eight Years.

Promptness and attendance is expected for the full class each week. Every class is important in the student's catechetical formation. The catechist facilitates the formation of community, presents the Word, encourages service, and leads the students in prayer each week. Each class builds upon the preceding class.

Students are expected to arrive no more than ten minutes before class time. They will wait in the hallway outside the Library in the Church building until released to go to their classrooms by DRE.

Students attending 8:00 Mass SHOULD NOT leave Mass early to attend class, but rather wait until Mass is over in order to fulfill their Sunday obligation.

Classes will end promptly at 9:45am. On Mass days students will not be dismissed until Mass is over. Students will remain seated with their class for the entire Mass.

Students are expected to share with the Catechist the responsibility for cleaning and straightening up the classroom.

We expect children to be picked up Promptly after class. A student will be released to either parent unless the RE Office has a copy of a court order giving one parent exclusive custody.

Tardiness disru0pts the class and chronic tardiness of any student will warrant a conference between the Catechist, DRE and parents.

Please notify the Religious Education Office if you should move or change your phone number.

In the event of severe weather, we ask that you listen to one of the following Radio stations for our status: WGN, WBBM, and WJOL. When a cancellation has been made, the Catechists will be notified, and they will attempt to call parents.

All correspondence will be sent via the oldest or only student in each family. Important information will be sent directly to you through the mail.

Classes in the St. Patrick Religious Education Program will be taught in conformity with the teachings of the Church as presented in the General Catechetical Directory of the United States, the National Catechetical Directory of the United States and in accordance with the policies and guidelines for Religious Education Programs within the Diocese of Joliet.

Students in the Religious Education classes are reminded that the rooms and desks they use for class are shared with other children within the parish. All are expected to respect the property of the school and the other students. Parents are responsible for any damage to or theft of St. Patrick's property.

Good conduct, cooperation, attention and courtesy are expected during class time. Any student who constantly disturbs a class and who continually fails to cooperate with the Catechist and the other students within a class shall be subject to the following procedures:

1^st time  -   Conference after class with student and Catechist.
2^nd time  -   DRE will talk to student and parents will be informed.
3^rd time  -   Meeting with parents, student, Catechist and DRE.

Students will not be sent home early unless the parent or guardian sends a note to the student's catechist or the RE Office ahead of time. The catechist may not dismiss any child from the classroom. Parents are requested to stop at the office (the Teacher's Lounge) and we will send someone to bring your child to you.

Parents and guardians are urged to use extreme caution when dropping off or picking up their children. Please remember that Mass is going on at the time of our students' arrival, therefore the parking lot will be full. Parents are to drive around the parked cars and drop the children off at either Church Building door and use caution when pulling away (children might be walking between parked vehicles).

Progress reports will be distributed to the Kindergarten through Eighth Grades at the Parent/Teacher conference and at the end of the Catechetical year. These reports will help parents to keep track of their child's progress within the program. The report will also contain a record of the child's absences.

Content and prayers for each grade level is expected to be mastered. The student's knowledge of grade level content can be assessed; Faith cannot.

To be promoted to the following grade, each student must:

1. Complete the curriculum for the grade and all homework assignments.
   
   
2. Pass all tests for the grade level.
   
   
3. Know the required prayers for that grade level and previous grades.

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